tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12016061464999094452018-08-28T14:41:21.383-04:00Life at Oak GrovePersonal blog of a homeschool family. We love to travel with our RV when we can. Fishing, discovering new places, photography are some of our activities.Canadianladybugnoreply@blogger.comBlogger990125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1201606146499909445.post-14991274909305082172012-09-14T06:49:00.001-04:002012-09-14T06:49:45.494-04:00Back in town<p>So many things have happened since I last wrote on this blog…</p> <p>Where should I start?&#160;&#160; </p> <p>Well we did move – temporarily…&#160; for about two weeks or so.&#160;&#160; The promises made and the plans mentioned were scratched out and postponed for maybe in two years or so.</p> <p>In the midst of all this and the fact that our house was not selling (with a market that was slowing down in Ottawa), my husband decided it wasn’t worth it and we left the York Region with peace in our hearts once again to go back to our home.</p> <p>It was a bizarre experience but through it all we felt a peace above and beyond what we usually can do ourselves.&#160;&#160;&#160; We drove back on the Friday and stopped to bring the RV at its usual place.&#160;&#160; The next day we packed the two vehicles and drove home where we started to emptied the garage.&#160; But the Sunday afternoon, when my in-laws came to see us they couldn’t believe how much work we have done in 24 hours.</p> <p>Now about three weeks later, there still is a few boxes to unpack and things to organize but we are back home.</p> <p>Did we put back everything where it was before.&#160; No.&#160;&#160; We thought we could make changes and organize the home more efficiently.&#160;&#160; </p> <p>We do have renovation projects for the future – for example the number one complaint we got when the house was on the market was that there wasn’t hardwood floor on the first level.&#160;&#160; So we are thinking of doing so eventually.&#160;&#160; Also the carpet we have will be changes to something less colorful and more easy – like Berber which is apparently hypoallergenic!</p> <p>So we have plans.&#160;&#160; We trust our Lord as we know He is with us.</p> <p>On another note, good friends of ours have move to BC which is sad a bit.&#160; But they are settling there and look forward of what God will bring in their lives.</p> <p>As for us, it does feel as though the tornado brought us somewhere and then back home.&#160;&#160; We don’t know why we went through this.&#160; We know that God has a plan and that somehow this experience is part of it.&#160; Was it a test to see how we would handle stress?&#160;&#160; Was there a deeper reason for this adventure?&#160;&#160; We don’t know.&#160;&#160; Maybe one day He will reveal it to us.&#160; In the meantime, we know that He is in control.</p> Canadianladybugnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1201606146499909445.post-23760424235543063802012-07-18T13:00:00.001-04:002012-07-18T13:00:48.957-04:00A whirlwind of happenings<p>There are times right now that I feel like I live in a perpetual tornado.&#160;&#160; It isn’t that bad really just never ceasing activity around me.</p> <p>First an foremost, we were a whole month in Toronto because hubby had a contract there.&#160;&#160; Turns out the company wants him full time as their IT manager.</p> <p>When we got back early June and it took about two weeks to get a firm offer which we accepted.&#160;&#160; So we are MOVING!&#160;&#160; Never thought I would move in the North of Toronto area but with the lack of contracts in the past three years or so, we have decided to see this as a blessing from God and follow the path He is directing us.</p> <p>What are my thoughts about this?&#160;&#160; Well I always thought that if we move it would still be around Ottawa.&#160; Now we will be about 5 hours away.&#160;&#160;&#160; All my homeschool contacts are around here.&#160;&#160; All our immediate family (within about 2 hours of drive).&#160;&#160;&#160; Most of our friends.</p> <p>Moving means – finding new friends, a new church, searching for homeschool contacts…&#160;&#160;&#160; </p> <p>Moving also means packing… which we have been doing like crazy for the past three weeks or so. </p> <p>I also left the kids and my husband for a week of training in Calgary and came back last Saturday.</p> <p>While I was away, we have put the house for sale…</p> <p>So far two showings – one last Friday and one this morning before lunch.</p> <p>And two more to come… tonight.</p> <p>Ultimately it’s in God’s hands.&#160;&#160; He knows what we need – ie sell this house and get a new home.</p> <p>I will trust Him as I know that He can do what seems impossible in our eyes.</p> <p>Hubby starts his new work on Aug 7th.&#160;&#160;&#160; </p> Canadianladybugnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1201606146499909445.post-61385941356099806382012-05-31T11:38:00.001-04:002012-05-31T11:38:24.738-04:00Trust and Blessings<p>I have been neglecting this blog for the past few months.&#160;&#160; I guess in a way I needed to take a break of some sort.&#160;&#160; <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-CTo5yKDBIxE/T8eQZmjDDZI/AAAAAAAAJp8/BvwySHJZ-AM/s1600-h/WalkingWithJesus_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 7px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="WalkingWithJesus_thumb" border="0" alt="WalkingWithJesus_thumb" align="right" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Ss5QeOEHh5U/T8eQaA4b38I/AAAAAAAAJqE/qcKjTfl2FL8/WalkingWithJesus_thumb_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="183" height="183" /></a></p> <p>Yesterday I felt I needed to reconnect with it.</p> <p>Why?</p> <p>To simply share my thoughts on trust.</p> <p>TRUST.</p> <p>I am learning to trust the Lord more and more lately with many aspects of my life.</p> <p>My mom for example.&#160;&#160; Not an easy relationship for various reasons that I won’t explain here.&#160;&#160; But all I need to say is that no matter what I love her.&#160;&#160;&#160; She’s my mom after all.&#160;&#160; </p> <p>My family.&#160; Well I can’t go into details here but the last few months has been a whirlwind of emotions/events.&#160;&#160; It’s not finished yet.&#160;&#160; Slowly we see a light in the tunnel and it feels good.&#160;&#160; For a while we had no clue what God was doing but I think we start to see a plan.</p> <blockquote> <p>“For I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD.”</p> </blockquote> <p>This Scripture is following me a lot lately.</p> <p>My upcoming trip. For the first time in my life, I will board a plane alone to attend a training week with one of the most wonderful healing ministry that I know – <a href="http://www.livingwaterscanada.org/">Living Waters</a>.&#160; I’m a bit anxious about it though I know the Bible tells me not to be anxious about anything…&#160;&#160; It’s a first… hopefully not the last time I have the opportunity of travelling alone by plane.</p> <p>On a bright note – I recently received a confirmation that I could review a Brother sewing machine.&#160;&#160; It has been years – not to mentioned decades – since I touched one.&#160;&#160; I’m excited about it and find a tons of fun projects to do with sewing and quilting.&#160;&#160; My maternal grand-mother made a ton of quilts when I was younger.&#160;&#160; I would love to follow in her footsteps.</p> <p>Also – don’t tell my kids but next week on our anniversary, we will attend a show at Medieval Times in Toronto.&#160; They don’t know about it.&#160; The boys think that only Jasmine and I will be going since they went alone with dad about two years ago.&#160;&#160; I was able to get FREE entry for everyone in the family in exchange of a blog post.&#160;&#160;&#160; To top it off, we are attending one that also includes a presentation in history.&#160;&#160; I look forward to this.</p> <p>This week, I was looking at a faucet located behind our trailer (you see we have come with my husband as he works on a contract near Whitchurch-Stouffville).&#160;&#160;&#160; And the faucet was dripping…&#160;&#160; and it got me thinking about the blessings God give us.&#160;&#160; You see sometimes it feels like waves upon waves of blessings showering over our heads.&#160; Other times it is dripping like the faucet.&#160; Still God is with us at all times – no matter what.&#160;&#160; And He provides in ways we don’t expect too!</p> <p>Here’s the pics I took…</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-iqrkW2vR4II/T8eQayZ8l7I/AAAAAAAAJqM/FZAoEEBpaV4/s1600-h/IMG_3932%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 7px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_3932" border="0" alt="IMG_3932" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-pfbdHOaJYDg/T8eQbOcHpBI/AAAAAAAAJqU/Je-8Prkjy2o/IMG_3932_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-QpB8txl8AqI/T8eQbkFgI7I/AAAAAAAAJqc/IvCom1pPMzs/s1600-h/IMG_3933%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 7px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_3933" border="0" alt="IMG_3933" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Hd6plUuB2SI/T8eQbwNZoyI/AAAAAAAAJqk/__tgRRuYusk/IMG_3933_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a></p> <p>How blessed are you lately?&#160;&#160; Do you feel like it is scarce and dripping or do you feel overwhelmed by God’s goodness?&#160;&#160; Either way always remember God is always there even when you don’t sense Him.</p> <p>Trust me.&#160;&#160; I know.&#160; I experienced it.&#160;&#160; Life goes through seasons – spring, summer, autumn and winter.&#160;&#160;&#160; We have ups and downs.&#160;&#160; We feel great or totally discouraged.&#160;&#160; But He provides in various ways.&#160; We just need to take the time to see it.&#160;&#160; The best way to do so is to spend time in your Bible.&#160;&#160; It’s amazing how Scriptures can speak to you when you least expect it.</p> <p>Have you cracked your Bible open today?&#160; What did God shared with you?</p> Canadianladybugnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1201606146499909445.post-43396477768699037872012-03-26T05:58:00.000-04:002012-03-26T16:44:02.154-04:00One Thousand Gifts–Weeks 40, 41 and 42<p><a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com/"><img style="margin: 7px" title="multitudesonmondaysbutton2-1" border="0" alt="multitudesonmondaysbutton2-1" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-J95cbMTM2nU/Tfas8SiQIrI/AAAAAAAADds/wVULskYC87M/multitudesonmondaysbutton2-1%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="399" height="169" /></a></p> <p>401. The smell of spring in the air.</p> <p>402. Going to pray for the kids at our church with the pastor’s wife even though the evening wasn’t schedule in March.</p> <p>403. An appointment with a specialist to get a test done at the hospital instead of having it done at a private clinic like back in August last year where I went in shock.&#160;&#160;&#160; </p> <p>404. Having my appointment schedule for said test for September but also knowing that I will be called if there is a cancellation…&#160; Getting called twice last week because of cancellation.&#160; The first day offered wasn’t working but the 2nd call offered me two dates with one working perfectly.&#160;&#160; New appointment is on April 16th at an hospital about 40 minutes away but it’s worth it.</p> <p>405. Seeing God at work in our lives.</p> <p>406. An opportunity knocking on our door – though to be honest we don’t know if we should go for it or not.</p> <p>407. March Break where we took it easy during the week.</p> <p>408. A birthday party for the kids to go in the middle of March Break.</p> <p>409. Time for my husband and I to spend together while shopping for a new cell phone for me.</p> <p>410. The fact that I can hear the new cell phone better (I have hard hearing –&gt;&#160;&#160; There are hearing aids in the future for me just not now!).</p> <p>411. The nice sunshine and warmth when we go outside.</p> <p>412. Shedding the winter clothes.</p> <p>413. Shorts!</p> <p>414. Crocs.</p> <p>415. Turning 43 on the first day of Spring.</p> <p>416. Last minute day trip to go shopping in the US with the in-laws – in two vehicles.</p> <p>417. US KFC – cook in the oven instead of dipping in oil.&#160;&#160;&#160; Delicious!</p> <p>418. The kids switching vehicles so they can spend time with grand-maman and grand-papa.</p> <p>419. An opportunity to get involved in our church with the grades 5 &amp; 6.</p> <p>420. My husband going out of the house for a contract which meant I could bake chocolate.<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-AyTGyWrDUM8/T3DU3UvB9TI/AAAAAAAAH_E/Kuz7DzBjk50/s1600-h/IMG_28525.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 7px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2852" border="0" alt="IMG_2852" align="right" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-97Y3p_7LKtY/T3DU4PFfq7I/AAAAAAAAH_M/wloIXOFWtZg/IMG_2852_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="397" height="266" /></a></p> <p>421. Trying a new cake for my birthday – Thanks to Pinterest!&#160;&#160;&#160; </p> <p>422. Being able to go to a new restaurant for lunch time alone while my oldest babysat.</p> <p>423. Trying to figure out God’s will in our life with a specific thing.&#160;&#160; </p> <p>424.&#160; Food testing activity – we definitively don’t do this often enough… LOL</p> <p>425. Fun products to review with the family!</p> <p>426. Receiving a YES when requesting a product – even though it takes time to get the answer or you don’t get the answer but are surprised by a package one morning (That’s how I got the <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Handbook-Nature-Study-Comstock/dp/0801493846/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1332410916&amp;sr=8-3">Handbook of Nature Study</a> from Anna Botsford Comstock last week which I requested three weeks ago and never heard from the publisher.&#160;&#160; I was debating if I should purchase it or just use the free version I had found on the <a href="http://www.archive.org/details/handbookofnature002506mbp">internet</a> on the iPad.&#160; But to be honest I couldn’t see myself carrying the iPad in the forest all the time…)</p> <p>427. My son’s team winning the first place at AWANA Quizzing competition.</p> <p>428. In-laws willing to babysit and bring the kids to an activity while we have to attend another event.</p> <p>429. Knowing that camping season is just around the corner!</p> <p>430.Seeing how many clips my daughter can put in her hair… </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_uVE0V194r8/T3DU5OM0QQI/AAAAAAAAH_U/EeCm63FlXxo/s1600-h/IMG_27203.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2720" border="0" alt="IMG_2720" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-HV1I7jhnLRw/T3DU5mcPgSI/AAAAAAAAH_c/ml-w3eURO5Y/IMG_2720_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-gjH_pLwJq0Y/T3DU6g-YNoI/AAAAAAAAH_k/a2Osb44ebyY/s1600-h/IMG_27213.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2721" border="0" alt="IMG_2721" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-I-IkTACsSx0/T3DU70PkZnI/AAAAAAAAH_s/EZkp4vZdAAw/IMG_2721_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-bvUGflS7AHI/T3DU9HdPF9I/AAAAAAAAH_0/aQ-DyUR5Uic/s1600-h/IMG_27233.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2723" border="0" alt="IMG_2723" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UF3fcS5SOT4/T3DU-IApdBI/AAAAAAAAH_8/uxLXe0M7Kuc/IMG_2723_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wfvojXWJSBI/T3DU_UG7RpI/AAAAAAAAIAE/_LeFTI4G_Fk/s1600-h/IMG_27623.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2762" border="0" alt="IMG_2762" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-woTgEWcbqGk/T3DU_2pKUEI/AAAAAAAAIAM/Q-b4ZDkFCcE/IMG_2762_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-mTkITSLvqiI/T3DVAly1d8I/AAAAAAAAIAU/yCPeEkTLPnE/s1600-h/IMG_27683.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2768" border="0" alt="IMG_2768" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lfMDjblXjGE/T3DVBYg-oTI/AAAAAAAAIAc/KflGj3mj0cs/IMG_2768_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-pbfwhNi6RT8/T3DVCE4w-xI/AAAAAAAAIAk/oHkAPOhWuOI/s1600-h/IMG_27893.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2789" border="0" alt="IMG_2789" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-lUcmjj9czhY/T3DVDESxFxI/AAAAAAAAIAs/DcyBXMTNz_I/IMG_2789_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-yBbKTMWQb2w/T3DVDrtWTjI/AAAAAAAAIA0/rSDfI_ttcFk/s1600-h/IMG_28814.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 7px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2881" border="0" alt="IMG_2881" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PEbZehjqGKY/T3DVENWJzCI/AAAAAAAAIA8/TUwKv67chCE/IMG_2881_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="230" height="343" /></a></p> Canadianladybugnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1201606146499909445.post-19873427124194458392012-03-05T06:51:00.001-05:002012-03-05T06:51:11.538-05:00One Thousand Gifts–Week 39<p><a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com/"><img style="margin: 7px" title="multitudesonmondaysbutton2-1" border="0" alt="multitudesonmondaysbutton2-1" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-J95cbMTM2nU/Tfas8SiQIrI/AAAAAAAADds/wVULskYC87M/multitudesonmondaysbutton2-1%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="399" height="169" /></a></p> <p>391.&#160; My 2nd son getting a year older.</p> <p>392.&#160; Seeing his interest in Star Wars.</p> <p>393.&#160; An opening for me to see my personal doctor because of sickness.</p> <p>394. Being in a country where you can access medical care easily.</p> <p>395. This upper respiratory infection which forces me to slow down a bit.</p> <p>396. The Building Walls For Saving Lives Campaign celebration at our church this past Sunday.</p> <p>397. My husband getting his own&#160; new to him iPad.&#160;&#160; (I barely had it since the past couple of months…. because he was learning with it.)</p> <p>398. Our city cleaning crew – though I would prefer them to do it during the day and not wake me up in the middle of the night…</p> <p>399. Adventures in Odyssey which is a huge thing for my kids when we drive to swimming courses.</p> <p>400. The fact that my oldest has a “private” swimming course for the past four weeks as one family has not showed up yet.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-OFxLUtbxAHQ/T1SopqYLpWI/AAAAAAAAHaY/QXRo_eo3lEA/s1600-h/IMG_2690%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2690" border="0" alt="IMG_2690" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-aLNzGzGWkSs/T1SoqeHTbnI/AAAAAAAAHag/NTqKr9yBQdQ/IMG_2690_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-sZ7LV_84d98/T1SorJ32a_I/AAAAAAAAHao/jUjxi-_MbKg/s1600-h/IMG_2692%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 7px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2692" border="0" alt="IMG_2692" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7o1U-u08X_k/T1Sori71MhI/AAAAAAAAHaw/y06AA6ThA7U/IMG_2692_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a></p> Canadianladybugnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1201606146499909445.post-74932852943744545702012-02-27T14:11:00.001-05:002012-02-27T14:11:41.080-05:00Happy 8th Birthday Dominic!<p>8 years ago, my son Dominic came into our lives.&#160;&#160; He was 10 days late… and ended up being delivered via c-section since I already one.&#160;&#160;&#160; He is a delight and loves all kind of animals – small or big.&#160;&#160; Well almost all kinds…. check the video to see why I am saying this!</p> <p>Love you buddy.</p> <p>I pray that God be with you every day of your life.&#160;&#160; May you continue to follow him daily and learn to listen to him.</p> <p>Love,</p> <p>&#160;&#160; Maman</p> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" bgcolor="#ffffff"><tbody> <tr> <td><a href="http://smilebox.com/play/4d7a417a4d4459774d44673d0d0a&amp;blogview=true&amp;campaign=blog_playback_link" target="_blank"><img style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; border-right: medium none" alt="Click to play this Smilebox slideshow" src="http://smilebox.com/snap/4d7a417a4d4459774d44673d0d0a.jpg" width="420" height="330" /></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="http://www.smilebox.com/?partner=smilebox&amp;campaign=blog_snapshot" target="_blank"><img style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; border-right: medium none" alt="Create your own slideshow - Powered by Smilebox" src="http://www.smilebox.com/globalImages/blogInstructions/blogLogoSmilebox.gif" width="420" height="46" /></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"><a href="http://www.smilebox.com/slideshows.html" target="_blank">Picture slideshow</a> personalized with Smilebox</td> </tr> </tbody></table> Canadianladybugnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1201606146499909445.post-71718839519130392242012-02-27T14:02:00.001-05:002012-02-27T14:02:25.908-05:00One Thousand Gifts–Week 38<p><a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com/"><img style="margin: 7px" title="multitudesonmondaysbutton2-1" border="0" alt="multitudesonmondaysbutton2-1" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-J95cbMTM2nU/Tfas8SiQIrI/AAAAAAAADds/wVULskYC87M/multitudesonmondaysbutton2-1%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="399" height="169" /></a></p> <p>381. Family Day in Ontario last Monday (Feb 20th)</p> <p>382. Playing Scene It! Disney Edition with the whole family</p> <p>383. Playing Blokus with my oldest</p> <p>384. A surprise from another homeschool family who came sledding with us after swimming though my kids didn’t have their snow pants.</p> <p>385. SNOW STORM!&#160;&#160; Now we can sled next week as it won’t be as icy.</p> <p>386. Making a cake for my son – though it was a bit last minute.</p> <p>387. Receiving new products to review.</p> <p>388. Finding a place where I can get grain to mill to make flour- now I just have to go buy some…</p> <p>389. Pizza</p> <p>390. The flexibility of homeschooling our children.</p> Canadianladybugnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1201606146499909445.post-80660452799980669232012-02-21T07:43:00.001-05:002012-02-21T07:43:15.666-05:00One Thousand Gifts–Week 37<p><a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com/"><img style="margin: 7px" title="multitudesonmondaysbutton2-1" border="0" alt="multitudesonmondaysbutton2-1" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-J95cbMTM2nU/Tfas8SiQIrI/AAAAAAAADds/wVULskYC87M/multitudesonmondaysbutton2-1%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="399" height="169" /></a></p> <p>371. A sweet valentine with my family</p> <p>372. My little girl going to her first girly birthday party</p> <p>373. Seeing how much she enjoys painting</p> <p>374. Seeing her transforming herself into the Wasp (Avengers character) with her butterfly wings and pretending that she is part of the Avengers with her 6 years old brother.</p> <p>375. Finding a place where I can purchase grains to mill my own flour with the product I have received last week.</p> <p>376. Getting my order from Rainbow Resources – Editor in Chief here we come.</p> <p>377. Seeing my oldest get excited when we received the DVD to learn Access 2010 – did I mentioned he is only 10 years old?</p> <p>378. Receiving the Easy Grammar Teacher Book for grade 6 to review.</p> <p>379. Bring sunshine peeking through the windows during the day – MELT that snow…!</p> <p>380. Looking forward to not having boots when I go outside.</p> Canadianladybugnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1201606146499909445.post-30807124591174412452012-02-13T06:47:00.001-05:002012-02-13T06:47:54.320-05:00One Thousand Gifts–Week 36<p><a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com/"><img style="margin: 7px" title="multitudesonmondaysbutton2-1" border="0" alt="multitudesonmondaysbutton2-1" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-J95cbMTM2nU/Tfas8SiQIrI/AAAAAAAADds/wVULskYC87M/multitudesonmondaysbutton2-1%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="399" height="169" /></a></p> <p>361. Another session of swimming lesson for the kids.</p> <p>362. Fun time at the hill sledding with friends</p> <p>363. Good news from companies I contacted to review their products.</p> <p>364. Awana Grand Prix even if my son didn’t get a medal this year.&#160; The important thing is participation.</p> <p>365. Special night at Awana – last week was Valentine night and the kids blessed their friends with little chocolates.</p> <p>366. Receiving a replacement copy of Devotions for Homeschool Moms because the one I had was falling apart due to a problem in the binding.</p> <p>367. My vision – to see the colors, the face of my kids when they are silly, the words on the page on a book – things we often take for granted…</p> <p>368. Being able to whisper “I Love You” to each of my kids and my husband.</p> <p>369. God’s provision in our life.&#160;&#160; May He continues to open doors of opportunity in the weeks and months to come.</p> <p>370. Seeing my husband counting down the weeks to see when we can go to the RV…</p> Canadianladybugnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1201606146499909445.post-37910247269948974782012-02-06T08:00:00.001-05:002012-02-06T08:00:44.481-05:00One Thousand Gifts–Week 35<p><a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com/"><img style="margin: 7px" title="multitudesonmondaysbutton2-1" border="0" alt="multitudesonmondaysbutton2-1" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-J95cbMTM2nU/Tfas8SiQIrI/AAAAAAAADds/wVULskYC87M/multitudesonmondaysbutton2-1%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="399" height="169" /></a></p> <p>351. Survival Week at swimming lessons which is a HUGE hit for my kids – wearing clothes in the pool and doing things that are out of the ordinary…</p> <p>352. Having a hill next to the swimming lessons so they can go slide and have fun afterward…</p> <p>353. WINTERLUDE in Ottawa, ON.&#160;&#160;&#160; A fun time for everyone!<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ql5_VHiYiYc/Ty_O0SY3pLI/AAAAAAAAGys/OHzsnyOeQsk/s1600-h/IMG_2622%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 7px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2622" border="0" alt="IMG_2622" align="right" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-s9sb_ZyIdtM/Ty_O0iVXDmI/AAAAAAAAGy0/WdUqu2NZpYU/IMG_2622_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="313" height="209" /></a></p> <p>354. The ice sculptures we went to see yesterday.&#160; (the picture is part of a sculpture titled Food Chain…&#160; See the mouse in one of the feet of the owl.)&#160; Amazing details!</p> <p>355.Awana Fun night – Pyjama were the dress codes last Thursday.</p> <p>356. Even though my husband had to work on Saturday – having the kids go play outside was an enormous blessing.</p> <p>357. My oldest son who is always very helpful.&#160;&#160;&#160; </p> <p>358.Being told that it is always a joy to teach my kids when they come out of Sunday School at church.</p> <p>359.Getting a good deal for a sled (because one died a couple of weeks ago) and a Jiffy Rink (which we will use next year).</p> <p>360. Having the books/curriculums to teach my kids numerous things.&#160;&#160;&#160; It’s unbelievable how God has blessed me since I started homeschooling and reviewing products!&#160;&#160; Speechless.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ewE-LGhqTjw/Ty_O1Vqg1JI/AAAAAAAAGy8/5hsubNJrc9U/s1600-h/IMG_2541%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2541" border="0" alt="IMG_2541" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3R8EGU2HKZc/Ty_O13j6gxI/AAAAAAAAGzE/FaTRH6e-a84/IMG_2541_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3qV7BxhWkDo/Ty_O2dMUsZI/AAAAAAAAGzM/4pravox3qkQ/s1600-h/IMG_2561%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 7px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2561" border="0" alt="IMG_2561" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qOJLuMosc2o/Ty_O2zIrGSI/AAAAAAAAGzU/OqqRtq-T3Go/IMG_2561_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9lO-jt46DfE/Ty_O4HC3quI/AAAAAAAAGzc/LWi4od86UVc/s1600-h/IMG_2531%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2531" border="0" alt="IMG_2531" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4PfOKi1Isr4/Ty_O4TpEOiI/AAAAAAAAGzk/eYRo5wmiWyM/IMG_2531_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-54GYlOaz1JY/Ty_O5A8cI-I/AAAAAAAAGzs/YmNIV-EnO2M/s1600-h/IMG_2552%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2552" border="0" alt="IMG_2552" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ZyYDNUTOhYE/Ty_O5bS17VI/AAAAAAAAGz0/UKSRgOE7GXM/IMG_2552_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Qe38AD7NSAc/Ty_O6MnU_3I/AAAAAAAAGz8/n42vXGVp5Vg/s1600-h/IMG_2584%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2584" border="0" alt="IMG_2584" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Boe3iWt9N0o/Ty_O6n6f2kI/AAAAAAAAG0E/cbRsSox1TZM/IMG_2584_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5OS1eY3hBu4/Ty_O7Ly2iKI/AAAAAAAAG0M/43Cr7ydXrYU/s1600-h/IMG_2586%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2586" border="0" alt="IMG_2586" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Iomkj2-6mjI/Ty_O7i5tIPI/AAAAAAAAG0U/5ygx0mp8AAU/IMG_2586_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Ebf84VWOyHQ/Ty_O8VV9AnI/AAAAAAAAG0c/3X_C76eilbc/s1600-h/IMG_2581%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2581" border="0" alt="IMG_2581" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6BV8hb_t3Zc/Ty_O8ko6YoI/AAAAAAAAG0k/mTUOdJIuC4E/IMG_2581_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lL--KEWFJ0A/Ty_O9FskByI/AAAAAAAAG0s/b4BNJ3fT1zk/s1600-h/IMG_2582%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2582" border="0" alt="IMG_2582" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1fdUpIfeuNM/Ty_O9i7t4oI/AAAAAAAAG00/UJU4o9ehLxQ/IMG_2582_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-fRxzZ4m9ZPU/Ty_O-miRWNI/AAAAAAAAG08/k5Issom7JWs/s1600-h/IMG_2607%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 7px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2607" border="0" alt="IMG_2607" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Dk2MMsR8hXs/Ty_O-w9PgtI/AAAAAAAAG1E/roDSET_cdSM/IMG_2607_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="417" height="279" /></a></p> Canadianladybugnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1201606146499909445.post-88711943872642295202012-01-30T13:01:00.001-05:002012-01-30T13:01:08.545-05:00One Thousand Gifts–Week 34<p><a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com/"><img style="margin: 7px" title="multitudesonmondaysbutton2-1" border="0" alt="multitudesonmondaysbutton2-1" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-J95cbMTM2nU/Tfas8SiQIrI/AAAAAAAADds/wVULskYC87M/multitudesonmondaysbutton2-1%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="399" height="169" /></a></p> <p>341. the weather – though we had a lot of freezing rain lately…</p> <p>342. The back of our house facing south which means we have the sunshine in the kitchen/living room throughout the day!</p> <p>343. Supper with my husband at a&#160; new restaurant.</p> <p>344. Getting free books in exchange of reviews – the best part is that I can request anything I want with that publisher!</p> <p>345. A husband willing to help when one of the kids is sick – together we were able to clean up in 30 minutes which would have taken MUCH longer if I had done it alone.&#160;&#160; At 11:15pm – it was a gigantic blessing!</p> <p>346. A lunch with another family from church</p> <p>347. Seeing my kids having fun with the kids of the other couple.</p> <p>348. Having a beautiful sunny day so they can go play outside.</p> <p>349. Great conversations between the adults.</p> <p>350. Netflix and the series MONK.</p> Canadianladybugnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1201606146499909445.post-67290178303316512542012-01-28T08:08:00.001-05:002012-01-28T08:08:24.122-05:00My husband rocks my world in good times and bad times<p>Honestly I think I am the luckiest woman in the whole wide world.&#160; My husband is just the best because he is there no matter when I need him.&#160; I seriously think I got the jackpot when he entered my life.&#160;&#160; But I also know that God knew what was best for me.&#160;&#160; Even after 14 years being together, I am amaze how we complete ourselves in various ways.</p> <p>Let me explain.</p> <p>In the past two days, I had on and off pain in my lower abdomen.&#160;&#160; Thursday was the worst for the pain was constantly there.&#160; Not a bit pain but it was bothering me.&#160;&#160; I prayed about it and it seemed to somewhat disappear because on Thursday evening while we were having our date (the kids having Awana) I barely noticed it.&#160;&#160; Compared with the afternoon sensations it was better.</p> <p>On Friday morning I didn’t feel anything.&#160;&#160; I thought it was gone.&#160;&#160; But in the afternoon it was there – on and off…&#160;&#160; I could feel it at times while other times I was fine.&#160;&#160; That morning for some reason I woke up at 311am and couldn’t go to sleep.&#160;&#160; No reasons in particular.&#160; Just insomnia I guess.</p> <p>So in the afternoon I took a cat nap for a short period of time.&#160;&#160; I got up at 4pm because I needed to prepare supper.&#160;&#160; At some point before we sat down to eat, I asked the kids to pray for mommy’s pain because I could feel it again.&#160;&#160;&#160; We ate and my daughter kept complaining that her belly hurt.&#160;&#160; We both knew that she dislikes the mixed vegetables she had in her plate so we encouraged her to finish her plate to get dessert.&#160;&#160; We have a rule in our house – you can’t finish you plate then you don’t get dessert.&#160;&#160; </p> <p>After supper time, she kept complaining more again.&#160;&#160;&#160; I thought she was doing so because I asked for prayer for my own abdominal pain and sometimes she copies other on that.&#160;&#160; So I told her to lay down on the sofa and rest a bit.&#160; She took off to play instead.</p> <p>We went to bed at 9ish…&#160;&#160; at 1115 or so I heard crying – more like whimpering.&#160;&#160; We don’t have a dog and I knew immediately that it was Jasmine.</p> <p>I got up and she talked to me with a whining tone saying something like “You didn’t give me a bowl.”&#160;&#160; What is she talking about?&#160;&#160; But before I opened the light the stench smell hit my nose.&#160;&#160; NO!&#160; Opening the light I saw the mess on her bedroom floor (which is carpeted by the way) and in her bed.&#160;&#160; Even one of her Barbie's is dirty.</p> <p>Poor sweetheart… her belly was REALLY complaining.&#160;&#160; But at this point in time, maybe because I wasn’t in my plate myself due to the pain and the lack of sleep and also because of the smell, I felt overwhelmed.&#160; Almost borderline going to cry.&#160;&#160;&#160; I didn’t believe her…&#160; Where should I start?&#160;&#160; Somehow my brain was not thinking properly.</p> <p>So I did something that usually I wouldn’t do.&#160;&#160; I woke up my husband and told him I needed help.&#160;&#160; You see my husband has trouble to fall asleep.&#160;&#160; Oh he can but if I wake him in the middle of the night it can take hours for him to get back to sleep.&#160;&#160; I knew he went to bed after me but I didn’t know at what time (he was working on his computer as he reformatted it).&#160;&#160;&#160; So unwillingly I woke him up.&#160;&#160; He got up rapidly and came with me.&#160; He couldn’t believe his eyes.&#160; I mean the floor was covered with it.&#160;&#160; The bed, her favorite pink blanket, one Barbie, the bed sheets, even her PJ.&#160;&#160; (<em>For the sensitive hearts reading this I am sorry for the details… but it was overwhelming!</em>)</p> <p>His reaction was “Oh my goodness!”&#160;&#160; We immediately kicked in geared both of us.&#160;&#160; I took care of the bed sheets while he took care of the floor.&#160;&#160; We picked up the mess, vacuumed, and even washed the carpet.&#160; All this at 11pmish.&#160;&#160; There was no way that she would be able to fall back to sleep with the odor in her room.&#160;&#160;&#160; I gave her a shower, changed her pajama, put some clean bed sheets in her bed.&#160;&#160; However I had to tell her she couldn’t get back her pink blanket yet has it was dirty.&#160; She understood and asked for the one with princesses on it.&#160;&#160; Within 30-45 minutes, we were able to put her back to bed.</p> <p>At 12:15 her door closed quite loudly.&#160;&#160; I went to check and she only had to go to the bathroom.&#160;&#160;&#160; </p> <p>It took a while for me to go to fall asleep.&#160;&#160; But at 715am I was awake again.&#160; Thought that I heard her calling me again but she was playing downstairs with her big brothers.</p> <p>She seems to be fine right now.&#160;&#160; She is back to her normal self.&#160;&#160; Me?&#160; Well I am a bit tired but happy that I had help to clean up.</p> <p>Before going back to bed, I apologized to wake him up but my husband told me “Don’t worry about it.&#160;&#160; I’m glad you woke me up.&#160;&#160; Besides I had just went to bed.”&#160;&#160;&#160; I told him I felt overwhelmed and he said “No kidding.”&#160;&#160;&#160; </p> <p>Last night I learned two important lessons.</p> <p>Lesson 1:&#160;&#160; When one of my kids complains that he/she doesn’t feel well – believe it.&#160;&#160; I mean they don’t have the habit to complain so there might be something to investigate.&#160;&#160; Though I have taken her temperature but she was fine.</p> <p>Lesson 2: Don’t hesitate to wake up the husband when these kind of situations happen.&#160;&#160;&#160; After all we are one and we can support each other through health and sickness.&#160;&#160; We worked as a team last night.&#160;&#160; It took less time than if I had to do it myself…&#160;&#160; </p> <p>So my question today for you is simple.&#160;&#160; How does your husband rock your world in challenging times?</p> Canadianladybugnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1201606146499909445.post-56746488519147103242012-01-25T16:07:00.001-05:002012-01-26T06:57:19.106-05:00A nice surprise<p>Today in the mail I got a nice surprise…</p> <p>My certificate has finally arrived!&#160;&#160; Yeah!</p> <p>The first thing I saw was this nice folder which contains the certificate.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-M6J2iNVBlm0/TyBu9k3ev0I/AAAAAAAAGsA/yRhreJxhuhM/s1600-h/IMG_2478%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2478" border="0" alt="IMG_2478" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-j34n1qUqcpQ/TyBu-Fssf_I/AAAAAAAAGsI/Fq6n9OzzK7E/IMG_2478_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="353" height="237" /></a></p> <p>And voilà – Graduated with honours from the Social Media Certificate Program.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-eESbcnrKnWg/TyE_nARTDTI/AAAAAAAAGsg/ZN0wvxLUqvc/s1600-h/IMG_2479_2%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 7px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2479_2" border="0" alt="IMG_2479_2" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--7jQVT9DhCA/TyE_nmwUGGI/AAAAAAAAGso/md6qHz2fQJ8/IMG_2479_2_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="370" height="248" /></a></p> <p>Sweet!</p> Canadianladybugnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1201606146499909445.post-78477921845976827872012-01-23T14:40:00.001-05:002012-01-23T14:40:36.717-05:00Being Flexible<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_4iWiThtj0Q/Tx23rxGZ1uI/AAAAAAAAGqw/KrNoxT5SsYk/s1600-h/WalkingWithJesus_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 7px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="WalkingWithJesus_thumb" border="0" alt="WalkingWithJesus_thumb" align="right" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-OWOWE3cMaU8/Tx23sfQVvJI/AAAAAAAAGq4/kBSgUzZM39w/WalkingWithJesus_thumb_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244" /></a> <p>I am on a journey.&#160; A journey to discover more of what God wants from me, what He planned in my life, and how He will speak through me on a daily basis.</p> <p>Walking with Him is like taking a stroll on a beach and listening to the waves coming to crash on the sand.&#160;&#160;&#160; </p> <p>Earlier this year, I had decided to read through the Bible chronologically as well as going through the a devotional book titled Quiet Time Bible Guide.&#160;&#160; I also had planned to do this with my French Bible.&#160;&#160; But within a week or two, stress engulfed me and I was on hedge with homeschooling.&#160;&#160; I knew I had too much on my shoulders and I needed to make changes.</p> <p>Changes can be good.&#160;&#160;&#160; I was disappointed not to read through my French Bible this year but honestly it was wise to realize early in the year that my objective was too much for me to go through.</p> <p>I prayed about it.&#160;&#160; I have numerous devotionals in the house but I wanted to take one that God will use to speak to me in various ways.&#160;&#160; When I looked at my bookshelves in my office, I saw one devotional book that grabbed my eyes immediately – <em>One Hundred and One Devotions for Homeschool Moms</em> by Jackie Wellwood.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-QuouAaZICR4/Tx23spyJZaI/AAAAAAAAGrA/p-3byimG3ZY/s1600-h/1-23-2012%2525201-14-29%252520PM%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 7px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="1-23-2012 1-14-29 PM" border="0" alt="1-23-2012 1-14-29 PM" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-gtOWobKCdm4/Tx23syQWXKI/AAAAAAAAGrI/9s5YPB4Vplw/1-23-2012%2525201-14-29%252520PM_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="153" height="244" /></a></p> <p>I had purchased this little jewel a couple of years ago – had started it but with life being crazy and getting lots of reviews, somehow I didn’t pursue the reading of it.</p> <p>From the first devotion, it spoke to me.&#160;&#160; Made me ponder on how I am.&#160;&#160; A main scripture is also at the top of the devotion.&#160;&#160; I could read it directly from the book but I take my French Bible and discover the Scriptures in my mother tongue.&#160;&#160;&#160; Somehow, I get ah-ah moments when I do this.&#160;&#160; It’s as though I obtain a new understanding of the Scriptures.&#160;&#160; It might be silly but that how I feel when I read them in French.</p> <p>For example, the very first devotional was about have a meek and quiet spirit.&#160;&#160; Ah!&#160;&#160; Reading the devotional I learned that meek signify to not easily be provoked or irritated.&#160;&#160;&#160; Mmmmm!&#160;&#160;&#160; This is definitively something I need to work on.&#160;&#160; There are times when I will respond to circumstances.&#160;&#160; I need to be patient, to take a deep breath and rely on God.&#160; Plain and simple.&#160;&#160; Simple?&#160;&#160; Not all the time but feasible anyway.</p> <p>At the end of the year, we discovered that one child is apparently strong will.&#160;&#160; Somehow this child of mine knows how to push the buttons to get me easily provoked and irritated.&#160;&#160;&#160; I am slowly learning on to stay calm and respond to the arrogance and the testing.&#160; </p> <p>Through the first couple of weeks of January, I have learned that flexibility is necessary for my well-being.&#160;&#160;&#160; There was a battle in me about my first decision for a devotional this year and the realization that it won’t work out after all.&#160;&#160;&#160; I am also learning that it works as well for dealing with a strong will child.&#160;&#160; I need to identify the battles that are worth fighting for and be flexible for the rest.</p> <p>If you are a homeschooler and would like God to speak to you on a more personal level concerning your homeschool, I suggest that you consider <em>One Hundred and One Devotions for Homeschool Moms</em>.&#160; It is available at any bookstore, even amazon.ca. </p> <p><iframe style="width: 120px; height: 240px" marginheight="0" src="http://rcm-ca.amazon.ca/e/cm?t=canadireview-20&amp;o=15&amp;p=8&amp;l=as1&amp;asins=1581341393&amp;ref=qf_sp_asin_til&amp;fc1=000000&amp;IS2=1&amp;lt1=_blank&amp;m=amazon&amp;lc1=0000FF&amp;bc1=000000&amp;bg1=FFFFFF&amp;f=ifr" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></p> Canadianladybugnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1201606146499909445.post-47355978443002524852012-01-23T07:22:00.001-05:002012-01-23T07:22:15.081-05:00One Thousand Gifts–Week 33<p><a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com/"><img style="margin: 7px" title="multitudesonmondaysbutton2-1" border="0" alt="multitudesonmondaysbutton2-1" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-J95cbMTM2nU/Tfas8SiQIrI/AAAAAAAADds/wVULskYC87M/multitudesonmondaysbutton2-1%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="399" height="169" /></a></p> <p>331. Being of service for some friends who needed a lift to the airport last Wednesday morning.</p> <p>332. Awana re-starting on Thursday after the Christmas Holidays and a cancellation the previous week due to freezing rain…</p> <p>333. Reaching the half-way point in our Math Curriculum!</p> <p>334. Spending a great supper with friends and having a great time on Saturday.</p> <p>335. Trying pavlova for the first time and LOVING it!</p> <p>336. Finding pavlova recipes on Pinterest….&#160;&#160; (I want to try to make one…)</p> <p>337. My oldest son, who was out last Wednesday morning before 6am, to remove some ice from the drive way – though I find him a bit young to be out that early and we had a chat about it…</p> <p>338. The kids helping each other and helping around the house.</p> <p>339. Sledding after the swimming courses though the snow was an ice rink.</p> <p>340. Being part of a church family!</p> Canadianladybugnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1201606146499909445.post-52048979297329553832012-01-17T14:08:00.001-05:002012-01-17T14:08:15.155-05:00Something Pinteresting–How Pinterest can become your BFF in Homeschooling<p>Some of you might be wondering what I am talking about. So before I explore the numerous possibilities with this innovative social media board, I will tell you what Pinterest is. Simply enough, Pinterest is a vision board sharing website (and app) where users can create and manage theme-based boards. Essentially, think of it as a corkboard where you pin you notes and photos but visualize it as going global. Being on Pinterest permits you to discover other people around the world who has the same taste as you.</p> <p>Now how can Pinterest be interesting for a homeschooler. This website has gigantic possibilities for someone like you and I. By doing searches on a specific subject you can discover numerous sites and other homeschoolers who have already pinned/studied/explored the said subject in the past. You simply re-pin it on your own board for future references. It is as easy as saying your ABCs but way more addictive – ask anyone who are on it already!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PlyUliYoJfE/TxXHHTOcHlI/AAAAAAAAGmA/A_j1gvehPms/s1600-h/clip_image002%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 7px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="clip_image002" border="0" hspace="12" alt="clip_image002" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xF0WqugV_ko/TxXHHvwugOI/AAAAAAAAGmI/TmfJKf-TDzw/clip_image002_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="185" height="185" /></a>Thanks to Pinterest I can now transfer all the homeschool sites I had included in my favorites and that I always forget about in a specific board and have them under my eyes if needed be. Having the link and an image together is very helpful for a visual person like me.</p> <p>Once you are on Pinterest (whether by requesting it or getting an invitation from someone…) I would suggest that you think about how you want to be organized. I saying this because at this point in time, I am rethinking and reorganizing my own boards because I found that they were too – how should I say this – vague. For example, I had a board called recipes and one called homeschool (I have since decided to name my boards in French for personal reasons). But everything linked to recipes or homeschool would go there. Now when I wanted to find the recipe for Starbucks Pumpkin Scones or an activity in mathematics, I had trouble finding it in the board. So I decided to split my boards so now I have my bread recipes in a separate board and all my links for mathematics in a different one.</p> <p>Every now and then, I spend a little bit of time on Pinterest to discover new ideas for homeschool, new French links, new recipes, new social media awareness, new activities for the kids depending of the period of the year and more.</p> <p>And now when I make a new recipe my husband would ask where I got it and I usually say – Pinterest. It permits me to explore new tastes with my family as well as have some blogging ideas.</p> <p>You can find everything for anatomy, science lessons, English, French, art, astronomy, Bible lessons, mathematics, geography, history, and more. I recently found a link on how to make worms out of Jello and straws, how to make your own superballs, found templates for super heroes logos (which I suspect will be a BIG hit in our household) as well as learn to optimize a garden (which I hope to have one day!).</p> <p>There are numerous homeschoolers/teachers on Pinterest and you will definitively find something interesting for your taste/homeschool/kitchen/… I would strongly suggest that you explore the possibilities with Pinterest and let it provide you numerous ideas to explore with your children.</p> <p>Oh! And if you decide to join Pinterest, feel free to follow me - <a href="https://pinterest.com/canadianladybug/">https://pinterest.com/canadianladybug/</a> !</p> Canadianladybugnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1201606146499909445.post-2742948192377410612012-01-16T12:41:00.001-05:002012-01-16T12:41:19.349-05:00One Thousand Gifts–Week 32<p><a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com/"><img style="margin: 7px" title="multitudesonmondaysbutton2-1" border="0" alt="multitudesonmondaysbutton2-1" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-J95cbMTM2nU/Tfas8SiQIrI/AAAAAAAADds/wVULskYC87M/multitudesonmondaysbutton2-1%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="399" height="169" /></a></p> <p>321. Participating to the Ladies’ Prayer Night last week – it was a nice experience to pray for each kids in the church we go to.</p> <p>322. <a href="http://www.livingwaterscanada.org">LivingWatersCanada.org</a> – the ministry that bring relational healing.</p> <p>323. A snow storm though it meant that Awana was cancelled… to the disappointment of our kids!</p> <p>324. Having written the previous statement I realize that I am delighted to see my kids loving the Lord the way they do and wanting to spend time with Him.</p> <p>325. Grand-parents willing to come and babysit on a Saturday so we can attend a day session of LW.</p> <p>326. It might be silly but I am thankful to watch <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monk_(TV_series)">Monk</a> with my husband.&#160;&#160; It is quite clean and fun to watch…</p> <p>327. A supportive husband.</p> <p>328. Letting go of some things in my life…</p> <p>329. Developing self-control especially in the social media realm.</p> <p>330. Scripture Journaling</p> Canadianladybugnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1201606146499909445.post-36202180207513865842012-01-09T14:03:00.001-05:002012-01-09T14:03:12.202-05:00One Thousand Gifts–Week 31<p><a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com/"><img style="margin: 7px" title="multitudesonmondaysbutton2-1" border="0" alt="multitudesonmondaysbutton2-1" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-J95cbMTM2nU/Tfas8SiQIrI/AAAAAAAADds/wVULskYC87M/multitudesonmondaysbutton2-1%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="399" height="169" /></a></p> <p>311. A new year starting</p> <p>312. my French Bible which I am using this year</p> <p>313. a great devotional that helps to dig deeper in the NT and the Psalms –&gt; <em>Quiet Time Bible Guide</em> by Cindy Bunch</p> <p>314. my husband buying skates for himself</p> <p>315. going outside the whole family together to explore skating</p> <p>316. looking forward to growth in Christ this year</p> <p>317. free apps for the iPod/iPad</p> <p>318. Snow falling from the sky when it is sunny outside.</p> <p>319. decluttering a bit with giving away the VHS tapes we had.</p> <p>310. Shopping outing with my 4 years old daughter.</p> Canadianladybugnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1201606146499909445.post-40798040082994413842012-01-02T13:45:00.000-05:002012-01-02T13:45:02.151-05:00One Thousand Gifts–Weeks 29 and 30<p><a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com/"><img style="margin: 7px" title="multitudesonmondaysbutton2-1" border="0" alt="multitudesonmondaysbutton2-1" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-J95cbMTM2nU/Tfas8SiQIrI/AAAAAAAADds/wVULskYC87M/multitudesonmondaysbutton2-1%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="399" height="169" /></a></p> <p>291. My sweet daughter turning 4 years old.</p> <p>292. My husband officially turning 40 on Winter Day.</p> <p>293. Free French books for our homeschool.</p> <p>294. Awana Store where the kids purchased Christmas gifts for others.</p> <p>295. Reflecting on Jesus birth.</p> <p>296. My husband who did a treasure hunt for the kids on Christmas Day.</p> <p>297. Good food. Great company. Laughter.</p> <p>298. Friends coming to visit.</p> <p>299. My kids who bought me a MOM ring.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2bDwMVrvgEU/Tv4I6ZxAh3I/AAAAAAAAGgU/beUtsF-q_-Y/s1600-h/25513%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 7px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="25513" border="0" alt="25513" align="right" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-oB6eefRPTIA/Tv4I6hdqDtI/AAAAAAAAGgc/q7mJJR7wYHI/25513_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="90" height="90" /></a></p> <p>300. My brand new KitchenAid Mixer – red empire – Do you think I should put black spots on it?&#160; *grin*</p> <p>301. Family get-together</p> <p>302. Watching Captain America with friends</p> <p>303. the flexibility of homeschool</p> <p>304. SNOW – we almost didn’t have a white Christmas…</p> <p>305. People slowing down and stopping so you can cross the street with your little girl.</p> <p>306. An invitation for New Years lunch from another family at our church.</p> <p>307. Free potatoes – thanks to another homeschooler who had too many of them after forgetting she had purchased some and had some at home!</p> <p>308. My kids who are very helpful around the house.</p> <p>309. Goofy gifts</p> <p>310. The new year starting – HELLO 2012!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-tcMIWVMlKUM/Tv4I7vVGUgI/AAAAAAAAGgk/gQheHtmEcWc/s1600-h/IMG_2126%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 7px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2126" border="0" alt="IMG_2126" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PqLyVKnzEE8/Tv4I70eE-3I/AAAAAAAAGgs/CeHWFYZZhtc/IMG_2126_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-AV83drNdd1U/Tv4I8mUlCBI/AAAAAAAAGg0/XnuEUOToRHA/s1600-h/IMG_2174%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2174" border="0" alt="IMG_2174" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xdjeIwO1WYA/Tv4I9eD82tI/AAAAAAAAGg8/UqYn1PhH_UQ/IMG_2174_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qrKFnows9QM/Tv4JA1sTyCI/AAAAAAAAGhE/icrV-hJB7Ks/s1600-h/IMG_2232%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2232" border="0" alt="IMG_2232" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-AUPcMOQYdss/Tv4JCnmoBBI/AAAAAAAAGhM/AgkZUSehDmc/IMG_2232_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-2bAdm6f6U8M/Tv4JEeBNqyI/AAAAAAAAGhU/IXN-kv53JHM/s1600-h/IMG_2373%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2373" border="0" alt="IMG_2373" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-L6r9vpS0GpE/Tv4JEvtT6dI/AAAAAAAAGhc/MCCJyUVK--A/IMG_2373_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xooXwhx0uBU/Tv4JGlkh--I/AAAAAAAAGhk/eRi6WlJhD9w/s1600-h/12-21-2011%2525203%25253B04%25253B02%252520PM%25255B17%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 7px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="12-21-2011 3;04;02 PM" border="0" alt="12-21-2011 3;04;02 PM" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-QN3J3hNsbv4/Tv4JG-tZTuI/AAAAAAAAGhs/LAf7kFFLK44/12-21-2011%2525203%25253B04%25253B02%252520PM_thumb%25255B15%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="425" height="300" /></a></p> Canadianladybugnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1201606146499909445.post-6100932265528017562012-01-01T13:42:00.001-05:002012-01-01T13:42:12.224-05:00Three Words for 2012<p>The other day, I was reading about the three words for the new year that someone has written on her <a href="http://www.suzemuse.com/2011/12/my-three-words-for-2012/?utm_source=feedburner&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Suzemuse+%28SuzeMuse%3A+Create.+Share.+Be+Brilliant.%29">blog</a>.&#160; I liked the idea and started thinking of what words I could use for 2012.</p> <p>Immediately there three words came in my mind.&#160;&#160;&#160; </p> <p><em>Trust</em></p> <p>The Webster dictionary of 1828 define trust as </p> <blockquote> <p><b>TRUST</b>, n. </p> <dd>1. Confidence; a reliance or resting of the mind on the integrity, veracity, justice, friendship or other sound principle of another person. </dd><dd></dd><dd>He that putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe. Prov.29. </dd></blockquote> <p>Over the years, since I became a Christian, I have learned quite a bit about trusting the Lord.&#160;&#160; 2012 will also be a year of trust I think.&#160;&#160; Many opportunities could open up for us and I need to trust Him more than ever.&#160;&#160;&#160; And this could be done in every aspects of my life.</p> <p>So as 2012 starts I am telling my Lord that I will trust Him completely.&#160;&#160; I know He is with me and that in the end I can go through anything with Him.</p> <p><em>Joy</em></p> <p>The Webster dictionary of 1828 defines joy as</p> <dd> <blockquote> <p><b>JOY</b>, v.i. To rejoice; to be glad; to exult. </p> <dd></dd><dd>I will joy in the God of my salvation. Hab.3. <p>Joy.&#160;&#160; Such a simple word but somehow I lack of it.&#160;&#160;&#160; I find that as I get older my joy is decreasing.&#160; Why is that so?&#160;&#160; I need to learn to become joyful and to rejoice at all times. </p> </dd></blockquote> <p><em>Restoration</em></p> <p>The Webster dictionary of 1828 defines restoration as </p> </dd><dd> <blockquote> <p><b>RESTORA'TION,</b> n. [L. restauro.] </p> <dd>1. The act of replacing in a former state. </dd><dd>Behold the different climes agree, rejoicing in thy restoration. </dd><dd>So we speak of the restoration of a man to his office, or to a good standing in society. </dd><dd>2. Renewal; revival; re-establishment; as the restoration of friendship between enemies; the restoration of peace after war; the restoration of a declining commerce. </dd></blockquote> <p>I pray for restoration in a special relationship in my life.&#160;&#160; As this point in time, the relationship is almost inexistent but I am hoping that by the end of the year, some changes will have started and that somehow God’s hand will be visible through these. </p> </dd> <p>So I am praying for restoration and a new level of relationship.&#160;&#160; May God be with me during this journey.</p> <p>&#160;</p> <p>So what would be your three words for 2012?&#160; </p> Canadianladybugnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1201606146499909445.post-78168968408021333722011-12-19T05:51:00.000-05:002011-12-19T05:51:00.708-05:00Happy Fourth Birthday Jasmine!<p>My sweet daughter is turning four TODAY!</p> <p>Here’s a little something to celebrate her birthday.</p> <p>I love you sweetheart!&#160; Continue to grow and love God the way you do.</p> <p>XOXOXO</p> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" bgcolor="#ffffff"><tbody> <tr> <td><a href="http://smilebox.com/play/4d6a67304e6a59304d44593d0d0a&amp;blogview=true&amp;campaign=blog_playback_link" target="_blank"><img style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; border-right: medium none" alt="Click to play this Smilebox slideshow" src="http://smilebox.com/snap/4d6a67304e6a59304d44593d0d0a.jpg" width="386" height="303" /></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td><a href="http://www.smilebox.com/?partner=smilebox&amp;campaign=blog_snapshot" target="_blank"><img style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; border-right: medium none" alt="Create your own slideshow - Powered by Smilebox" src="http://www.smilebox.com/globalImages/blogInstructions/blogLogoSmileboxSmall.gif" width="386" height="46" /></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"><a href="http://www.smilebox.com/slideshows.html" target="_blank">Slideshow design</a> generated with Smilebox</td> </tr> </tbody></table> Canadianladybugnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1201606146499909445.post-89016574225178252222011-12-19T05:28:00.000-05:002011-12-19T05:28:00.189-05:00One Thousand Gifts–Week 28<p><a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com/"><img style="margin: 7px" title="multitudesonmondaysbutton2-1" border="0" alt="multitudesonmondaysbutton2-1" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-J95cbMTM2nU/Tfas8SiQIrI/AAAAAAAADds/wVULskYC87M/multitudesonmondaysbutton2-1%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="399" height="169" /></a></p> <p>281. Going through the book <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/0825441722/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=canadireview-20&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=15121&amp;creative=330641&amp;creativeASIN=0825441722">Tabitha’s Travels</a><img style="border-bottom-style: none !important; margin: 0px; border-left-style: none !important; border-top-style: none !important; border-right-style: none !important" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.ca/e/ir?t=canadireview-20&amp;l=as2&amp;o=15&amp;a=0825441722" width="1" height="1" /> by Arnold YTreeide with the kids during Advent.</p> <p>282. Doing our Jesse Tree at the same time</p> <p>283. Doing my daughter’s cake<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-FsAYdlZu30U/Tu4xOFoVAhI/AAAAAAAAGWE/8PhV8KcQYY0/s1600-h/IMG_1979%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 7px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1979" border="0" alt="IMG_1979" align="right" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-G9IzbVCy20s/Tu4xOdvU_HI/AAAAAAAAGWM/5z-Xi24bfos/IMG_1979_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a></p> <p>284. Being creative in finding items for a mermaid cake…</p> <p>285. Receiving an A+ for the last course of my Social Media Certificate </p> <p>286. Finishing the Social Media Certificate</p> <p>287. helping a friend in need</p> <p>288. blessings from above – especially the ones that are surprises</p> <p>289. Numerous Canadian Geese flying above our house – it’s the time of the year!</p> <p>290. cookie social at church yesterday</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-DWtgPQQuSNs/Tu4xPPHOseI/AAAAAAAAGWU/sZzg_kejuKg/s1600-h/IMG_1990%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1990" border="0" alt="IMG_1990" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Sgor5gbwYYU/Tu4xPsLwTmI/AAAAAAAAGWc/uD_7aXlZfSI/IMG_1990_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a></p> Canadianladybugnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1201606146499909445.post-60320537951509177832011-12-12T07:36:00.001-05:002011-12-12T07:36:02.258-05:00One Thousand Gifts–Week 27<p><a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com/"><img style="margin: 7px" title="multitudesonmondaysbutton2-1" border="0" alt="multitudesonmondaysbutton2-1" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-J95cbMTM2nU/Tfas8SiQIrI/AAAAAAAADds/wVULskYC87M/multitudesonmondaysbutton2-1%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="399" height="169" /></a></p> <p>271. Having finished my courses in advance so I can work on my special project for the upcoming celebration of my husband turning 40 later this month.</p> <p>272. The kids letting me work on the project in the afternoon.</p> <p>273. The fever that my daughter had on Wednesday night – Friday morning that disappeared mysteriously and nothing happened afterward.</p> <p>274. Family and friends who chipped in for the birthday celebration by bringing some food – potluck style.</p> <p>275. Our family doctor who allowed me to bring our daughter in because of the weird fever/shivering she was experiencing.&#160; he ruled out the shore throat, the ear infection, the lungs infection…&#160; </p> <p>276. New opportunities for my husband</p> <p>277. The lack of snow (though I would prefer having some but I am trying to see the positive behind the current weather in Ontario!).</p> <p>278. The friends and family members who came to celebrate my husband upcoming 40th birthday (he was born on the 21st of December).</p> <p>279. 40 candles on a cake.</p> <p>280. My son, Alexandre, who said the text, scripture and prayer on HOPE this past Sunday at church by heart.&#160; He has an amazing memory!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1QrmzDhzp8s/TuX1K0cmWZI/AAAAAAAAGRI/H_ulySFEgGs/s1600-h/IMG_1961%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1961" border="0" alt="IMG_1961" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LASiY1HqgMs/TuX1LIzqYqI/AAAAAAAAGRQ/B36lofaXxCI/IMG_1961_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xX0GGZUU-GA/TuX1Lwu97JI/AAAAAAAAGRY/0yT7fZFshd4/s1600-h/IMG_1976%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1976" border="0" alt="IMG_1976" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rDtGN7qB36I/TuX1MehETDI/AAAAAAAAGRg/cwnUAajMt7s/IMG_1976_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a></p> Canadianladybugnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1201606146499909445.post-38260623243948022722011-12-05T07:25:00.001-05:002011-12-05T07:25:20.887-05:00One Thousand Gifts–week 26<p><a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com/"><img style="margin: 7px" title="multitudesonmondaysbutton2-1" border="0" alt="multitudesonmondaysbutton2-1" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-J95cbMTM2nU/Tfas8SiQIrI/AAAAAAAADds/wVULskYC87M/multitudesonmondaysbutton2-1%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="399" height="169" /></a></p> <p>261. cleaning done by someone else because hubby got a deal via a group buy</p> <p>262. new swimming session that is starting with a lower price</p> <p>263. great food + wonderful people = Marvelous Christmas party at our church</p> <p>264. finishing a book discussion with my husband’s brother and wife</p> <p>265. planning another book to read and discuss with them (their turn to pick the book)</p> <p>266. a child who can babysit + errands to do = possibility of spending more one on one time with each other kids</p> <p>267. baking a recipe that my mom used to do</p> <p>268. adapting said recipe for our needs because the original way of doing it was too long…</p> <p>269. my oldest wanting to make a batch of the recipe by himself</p> <p>270. delicious Heavenly Mushrooms like my brother-in-law would say…&#160;&#160; (he did mentioned that it tasted like heaven! *grin*)</p> <p>&#160;</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WhNAF7gO5EQ/Tty4HvZUhsI/AAAAAAAAGEE/H690zB5f3aw/s1600-h/IMG_1943%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1943" border="0" alt="IMG_1943" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-epttz0OJ9zg/Tty4Hz_3XWI/AAAAAAAAGEM/TIVTrhks7sc/IMG_1943_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-L5Upt-nXNOI/Tty4I4p3EpI/AAAAAAAAGEU/44LSGAFf1ME/s1600-h/IMG_1945%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1945" border="0" alt="IMG_1945" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7gHh34sYxv0/Tty4JFLr1dI/AAAAAAAAGEc/M8uoW88W6A0/IMG_1945_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LspPo6G_sPM/Tty4KGoIrnI/AAAAAAAAGEk/IVNbuPH_DrM/s1600-h/IMG_1947%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1947" border="0" alt="IMG_1947" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YPeG0Lmkym0/Tty4KmtTkNI/AAAAAAAAGEs/QcoM3s3aYUk/IMG_1947_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-gVE0gPhjt9I/Tty4LviEmUI/AAAAAAAAGE0/NQpL1IwO4Ow/s1600-h/IMG_1949%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1949" border="0" alt="IMG_1949" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-CjyLoPiCYOo/Tty4MC64riI/AAAAAAAAGE8/W3sxR2zSXYM/IMG_1949_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a></p> Canadianladybugnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1201606146499909445.post-91557562276576967672011-12-01T15:42:00.001-05:002011-12-01T15:42:38.819-05:00It is finished…<p>Today – Dec 1st – I have uploaded my last assignment to complete my Applied Social Media in Business course.</p> <p>This was the last one to complete the Social Media certificate I was working on since the beginning of the year. </p> <p>Now I have more time to teach the kids as my afternoons were spent mostly to work on assignments.</p> <p>Having two courses on top of homeschool is quite challenging.</p> <p>But I persevered and finished it today.</p> <p>I’m a bit tired though and might take a couple of days of much deserved rest.</p> <p>Now I wait for the grades and my certificate.</p> <p>I learned quite a bit during these five courses.&#160;&#160; I hope to apply my knowledge to something productive in the months/years to come!</p> Canadianladybugnoreply@blogger.com